LUSBEN AND BENETTI: A NEW INTEGRATED APPROACH TO THE ENTIRE YACHT LIFECYCLE

At the 25th Benetti Yachtmaster, which this year welcomed over 200 captains and other industry professionals in Marrakesh, the Azimut|Benetti Group’s Refit Division Lusben announced a new synergy with Benetti to offer tailored fleet management solutions for Benetti owners, even beyond the warranty period.

“Being part of the same Group and having spent six years at Benetti as Custom Operations Director have given me a comprehensive perspective on the industry, allowing me to understand the specific needs of each department and foster effective collaboration across all functions” explains Ferdinando Pilli, General Manager of Lusben. “Thanks to this integration and Lusben’s extensive know-how—built on over 60 years of refit experience and now enhanced by the completion of the Livorno site expansion—we can offer Benetti clients a highly specialized service designed to optimize the performance and longevity of their yachts.”

The new hub will provide continuous support through a five-year maintenance contract, customised refits and full assistance in terms of spare parts, documentation and technical consulting.

“The management of Benetti’s after-sales service is a strategic step toward further enhancing our clients’ experience” emphasizes Gianni Paladino, Lusben Commercial Director. “Our in-depth knowledge of the product and the excellence of the Livorno and Viareggio yards’ infrastructure enable us to deliver top-tier solutions beyond the warranty period, ensuring ongoing, highly qualified support.”

Lusben has now completed the investment plan launched in 2023 to strengthen its operational capacity, significantly expanding the Livorno production site.  The acquisition of the dry dock area in May 2022 led to a complete redevelopment, with a €12 million investment doubling the total surface area to 220,000 sqm—90,000 sqm dedicated to the shipyard and an adjacent 130,000 sqm water basin. This innovative expansion allows Lusben to simultaneously accommodate up to three yachts over 100 meters on land, in addition to its usual berthing capacity. The total number of available berths has increased to 36 on land and 32 in the water. The site is also equipped with a 2,400-ton synchro-lift, a 180-meter floating dock with an 18,000-ton capacity, and a dedicated dry dock for in-water maintenance. Among the new infrastructures, a standout feature is the 8.5-meter-deep inspection pit for sailing yachts, the largest of its kind in the Mediterranean.

“The expansion of the Livorno site is a crucial step forward in Lusben’s growth and enables us to accommodate and operate on larger vessels to the highest standards of excellence” explained Ferdinando Pilli. “Our immediate goal is to complete the ongoing investments, further enhancing crew facilities and developing new office buildings. The transformation of this ‘gateway to the sea’ has made Livorno an increasingly attractive destination, much like what happened in Viareggio in recent years. Our vision is to turn Livorno into a center of excellence for the yachting industry, bridging the gap between the city and the shipyard while delivering a top-tier experience in line with the world’s leading yachting destinations.”